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E36 (1991 - 1999) The E36 chassis 3-Series BMW was a huge hit among driving enthusiasts from the first moment the car hit the pavement. The E36 won numerous awards over the years it was produced and is still a favorite of many BMW enthusiasts to this day! -- View the E36 Wiki

Was under the car replaced the 02 sensors today saw the oil cooler rubber lines are leaking tranny fluid pretty bad . Tranny has 160k on it no knowledge as to when the last fluid change was done...Should I just re-pump some fresh fluid in through the side hole or.... go option b and go all out and replace the filter gaskets and fluid. Just nervous about changing fluid on a tranny that has atleast over 160k miles on it.
Opinions...Thoughts?

Anyone wna chime in on this ive got an engine with 60k on it and a tranny with 160k if i could do the tranny swap and save my car id be more then happy to spend the extra...I thought you had to get a different ECU then get it mated to the car if memory serves me....

It's a myth that changing the fluid and filter on an auto tranny causes failures. Most of the time what drives the fluid change is the transmission acting up, then the fluid gets changed, then the failure that was already in process happens and the fluid change gets blamed.

You can either swap in an OB2 manual tranny ECU or get yours reflashed. A check of the shops around your area to see who will do the reflash and how much they charge will help you decide on reflash or swap out.

I haven't done a full swap yet, but it is on my list. The E36 can still be driven auto-manual swap without coding, but you'll have wonky things, like no reverse lights unless you wire in your own switch, etc. If you want it fully oem style, I think you just need a new DME and wiring harness. Not 100% sure, though.

I'd start with topping off/changing the fluid. The transmission works by pressurizing the fluid, and if there's not enough of it, bad things happen.

I haven't done a full swap yet, but it is on my list. The E36 can still be driven auto-manual swap without coding, but you'll have wonky things, like no reverse lights unless you wire in your own switch, etc. If you want it fully oem style, I think you just need a new DME and wiring harness. Not 100% sure, though.

I'd start with topping off/changing the fluid. The transmission works by pressurizing the fluid, and if there's not enough of it, bad things happen.

On that note added ATF fluid today she took almost a quart and a half
It feels better but the engine is giving me odd hesitation still. At a constant RPM the MPG needle will skip back and forth without me moving the accelerator....anyone ever had an issue like this? I checked Vacuum hoses quick didn't see anything too noticeable...

Update just got back from Advanced Auto code p0133-Oxygen Sensor Circuit Slow Response (Bank1, Sensor1). In short my primary 02's probably shot YAY. Also recently switched from 93 octane to 89 because my Dad insisted i'm wasting my money. I'll need a replacement 02 anyone know off hand the best to buy from. Plus should i go back to 93? It ran like a top on that gas. Thanks guys.

In laymans terms, the higher octane gas will burn slower, and achieve more complete combustion. It costs more, but will give you better MPG to offset it. Try it for yourself, run a full tank of 89 octane then one of 93 and see which yields better results. Then the math is easy as to which is more cost effective for you.

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Originally Posted by hnaz

I grew up in a time when the internet was just a baby. Grammar back then versus now... holy cow. You could watch the degradation of society as the internet became more mature.

Yea Ed is right, but I have always felt my car(s) have ran much better on 93....just a cleaner/smoother running car IMO.

Mine always ran better on 93 too. Atleast I think.... it's one of those weird things you can feel I guess Idk maybe I'm just weird . ...Is there a way to test 02 sensors without throwing them in the car? It's kinda cold and theres a foot of snow so I'd rather only change it once

Update number two just swapped out two sets of 02 sensors - froze my arse off- no luck same symptoms no change at all. My question is can this somehow be related to the secondary air pump? I had the code a few days ago for it pop up and then disappear I just read that there was a service bulletin issued for it so ima go search and see what I can find.

Filled up with 93 octane this morning no change. Things I've done so far..... swapped 02's twice with extras I had no difference either time ( I can't confirm whether they were good or not) I did notice that the 02 i had cleaned up only a couple days before already had a lot of soot on it and what not.Could this just be from the horrible running and it dumping fuel? Also Looked over vac lines to find any leaks, nothing obvious at this point. Pulled the MAF cleaned it up a bit and did the MAF unplug test it is indeed working. Pulled the SAP got it cleaned up a little bit re grounded it ...works fine now. Checked the ground wire that hooks up next to the SAP from what I understand it is one of the main engine grounds cleaned that up...no change. Running out of ideas guys. Thinking of taking the throttle bodies off the intake manifold and cleaning up all the gaskets and trying to check for any potential vac leaks from the lines to the icv etc.....Might have to really jack it up and get underneath to check the precat 02 wiring for any potential damage...